Course Syllabus BISC 164H Fall 2014
Honors Recitation
Section 04 Th 1-1:50pm, Shoemaker 219
Section 05 T 2-2:50pm, Shoemaker 219
Dr. Carol A. Britson Office: 206 Shoemaker
Phone: 915-7988 Email:
Office Hours: Wednesdays and Thursdays 10-11:30am, or by appointment
Nature of Course Content: In this recitation section we will focus on the genes and epigenetic mechanisms that affect athletic performance. We will also discuss skills for success in an undergraduate science curriculum as well as preparation for professional schools. We will be using the books The Sports Gene and How to be Pre-Med as our starting points for discussion. Throughout the semester we will address issues such as the historical framework in which breakthroughs have occurred, ethics, the scientific method, communication of science, and what makes a good discussion of the readings. Where applicable, we will address topics covered in lecture (BISC 160) and successful methods for mastering topical material.
Learning Outcomes: After completing this course, students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between epigenetics (i.e., gene expression) and athletic performance. Students will be able to discuss how that relationship has shaped our knowledge of genetics and sports science, both past and present. This class will encourage independent reading and critical analysis and will include student-led discussions and presentations.
Course Textbooks (required):
Miller, S.M. 2014. How to be Pre-Med: A Harvard MD's Medical School Preparation Guide for Students and
Parents. MDadmit. ISBN: 9781936633555.
Epstein, D. 2013. The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance. Penguin Group, New
York. ISBN: 9781617230127.
BlackBoard: All students at the University of Mississippi have a WebID (and associated password) that is used to access online resources (e.g., registering for classes, etc.) and the university’s course management system BlackBoard http://blackboard.olemiss.edu/. You are already enrolled as a BlackBoard user for this course (and perhaps several other courses as well). I will be posting announcements, web links, and other information on BlackBoard.
Grading:
The grade scale is shown below. For additional information on the plus/minus grading system, please visit http://www.olemiss.edu/info/grading.html.
Grade / Percent ScoreA / 93-100
A- / 90-92.99
B+ / 87-89.99
B / 83-86.99
B- / 80-82.99
C+ / 77-79.99
C / 73-76.99
C- / 70-72.99
D / 60-69.99%
F / 0-59.99%
Your performance will be assessed in the following areas.
Attendance, participation, and engagement / 50
Group presentation #1 / 25
Group presentation #2 / 25
Academic Integrity: Academic integrity is essential to all the values upon which the university is founded. Honors students must therefore embody academic honesty in all aspects of their work. A student with a documented case of plagiarism or academic cheating in an honors course will face the possibility of receiving the grade of F for the course and being dismissed from the Honors College. Specific consequences of such behavior will be determined by the administration and individual faculty member.
Attendance Policy: I expect attendance and participation at all class meetings. Honors courses are small classes, usually taught in seminar style with no more than fifteen students. They are reading, writing anddiscussion intensive. Student participation is therefore essential. In addition, the university commits extensive resources, especially in terms of faculty time, to these small classes. For these reasons, the Honors College has an attendance policy for allhonors courses, both required and departmental. Students are entitled to one absence in this class. Consequences of additional absences will be determined by the individual faculty member, but additional absences will lower your grade. If you must miss a class because of illness or family emergency, I expect you to contact me.
Participation Policy: Students are required to have read the materials before coming to class. For each class period, students must submit 1-2 discussion questions on an index card. These discussion questions will be used during the class session. Also, students must verbally contribute to the discussion during each class session. Three class sessions without verbal contribution AND submitted discussion questions will lower your grade for the course by one full letter grade.
Student conduct: (1) All electronic devices (including, but not limited to, laptop computers; cell phones; iPods; blackberries; etc.) must be turned off during class. Exceptions will be allowed only when there is a need to locate reference works to further our discussion. There will be no other exceptions, and violators will be asked to leave. (2) Use correct grammar in written correspondence (including email), and refrain from using “texting” lingo. (3) Do not enter faculty offices without knocking. (4) Do not call me at home. My email and voicemail keep date and time records of any messages.
Inclement Weather: In the event that the University cancels classes due to inclement weather, we will adjust the schedule by shifting our topic or event to the next class period.
Course Schedule:
August 25 / Introductions and opening discussion
September 2 / Miller: Chapters 1-2
September 8 / Miller: Chapters 3
Epstein: Introduction
September 15 / Epstein: Chapters 1-2 / Group 1
September 22 / Epstein: Chapters 3-4 / Group 2
September 29 / Epstein: Chapters 5-6 / Group 3
October 6 / Epstein: Chapters 7-8 / Group 4
October 13 / PDF file on blackboard: “BISC 164 and 165 Confidential”
Miller: Chapters 4
October 20 / Miller: Chapters 5-6
October 27 / Epstein: Chapters 9-10 / Group 1
November 3 / Epstein: Chapters 11-12 / Group 2
November 10 / Epstein: Chapters 13-14 / Group 3
November 17 / Epstein: Chapters 15-16 / Group 4
November 24 / Thanksgiving Break
December 1 / Epstein: Epilogue